Northwest Personal Training
December

Gift ideas for fitness buffs: 

  Do you have an avid exerciser or sports fan on your holiday shopping list?  Here are the Top 10 ideas to ensure your gifts are a success. 

1. Massage – The best thing in the world after a tough workout is a massage so this gift will be greatly appreciated.  You can pick up a gift certificate at most local spas – Oasis Day Spa & Salon (3200 SE 164^th (360)737-1789), Elements Day Spa and Salon (16096 se 15^th St., 360-604-8345), Beyond Bliss 1400 Main, (360)750-1887 and most offer special holiday packages.  If you’re feeling a bit generous, consider purchasing a day-at-the-spa package that often includes massage, body wrap, facial, manicure, pedicure and steam bath. 
2. Personal Training – Any exerciser would appreciate a little expert guidance towards their fitness ambitions.  It’s a terrific way to help a loved one with their New Year’s resolutions.  Most health clubs and trainers offer gift certificates during the holidays.
3. Fitness Program Registration – Do you know someone who’s always wanted to join a running clinic, try a Yoga program or a Pilates class or learn ballroom dancing?  Maybe they’d be interested in a ski or snowboarding camp, a kayaking or whitewater rafting trip?  Why not surprise them by picking up the cost of registration?  Better yet, enroll the both of you in the program and show them how much you love and want to spend time with them. 
4. Athletic Gear – Any avid athlete is in need of new workout clothing.  But remember this – quality is important.  Most exercisers would rather have one really good piece of gear than a number of poor-quality items.  Shop at any specialty sporting goods store and they should provide you with some high-quality options.  Keep in mind that keeping warm or cool and dry is critical to performance, so this may help guide you on what your athlete would like to find under the tree.  Here are a few suggestions:  running vest, wickable shirt, bra-tap, fleece pullover, tights, specialty socks, running or weight-training gloves, head-warmer, exercise glasses, water bottle, or sports watch.  If money’s no object, buy a large gym bag and stock it full with the above items.
5. Gift-certificates – Safer than buying clothing or footwear is to give a certificate to your loved one’s favorite sporting-goods store – that way they can choose what they need and you won’t risk buying the wrong size, style or color.  You can’t go wrong with an REI, Nike Town, Copelands, Fit Right NW or GI Joe’s gift certificate.
6. Sports Magazine subscription - Purchase a year’s subscription to a favorite magazine.  Shape, Self, Fitness, Men’s Health, Men’s Fitness, Runner’s World and Sports Illustrated are some of the more popular options.  You’ll be happily remembered every time an issue arrives at the mailbox.
7. Fitness Membership – Has your loved one considered joining a local gym?  Why not purchase or renew a monthly, quarterly or yearly membership to their favorite or closest facility.
8. Fitness Equipment – A workout is always much more effective with the right tools.  Stability balls, medicine balls, exercise tubing and heart rate monitors are a must for the serious exerciser.  If finances are not a concern, perhaps you want to invest in a larger piece of home equipment like a treadmill (most popular), stationary bike, ski machine or elliptical.  Or you might be interested in purchasing a multi-purpose weight training station like a BowFlex (www.nautilus.com).
9. Sports and Fitness Books – Head to your local bookstore and browse the books on a favorite sport or general books on fitness, health and nutrition.  An exercise log also makes a great stocking stuffer. 
10. Dinner certificates – All athletes love to eat so a certificate to a favorite restaurant would be a terrific treat after a tough workout.

Happy shopping and Merry Christmas

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